societies – The Orbital

Review of A Night at the Theatre: A Night of Riotous Fun

26Oct

By Ezra Elver-FiddimoreNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Review of A Night at the Theatre: A Night of Riotous Fun

On arriving at A Night at the Theatre, a variety night of Royal Holloway’s various performing arts societies, it was hard to know what to expect. There was a palpable air of giddiness and nerves even in the audience: parents and friends excited to see people they knew, but daunted by the hodgepodge of performances ahead. As it happened, though, there was nothing to worry about! This show offered a series of bright, fast-moving snapshots of the workings of an enormous number of societies and their talented members, with all of it pulled together by Daniel Loosley as the MC. The vocal performances gave structure to this show, each of them impressive and totally unique. Absolute Harmony opened the show with a lively, skilful rendition of George Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’, complet...

Royal Holloway Men’s Football Charity Campaign

22Feb

By Hefina EverardNo Comments

Sports & Socs

Royal Holloway Men’s Football Charity Campaign

On the pitch, Royal Holloway Men's Football team excel in supporting one another- however, this year they've extended this support to off the pitch, with their ongoing charity work in support of 'Mind' and 'Movember'. I spoke to Jack Colman, Vice President of the club, below is what he had to say about their fundraising mission: Royal Holloway Men’s Football is a family. It comes with fun, incredible memories, and at times hardships and struggles. Our year-long fundraising and charity campaign focuses on men’s mental health, particularly targeting and supporting the well-known charity ‘Mind’. Our reasoning behind choosing mental health as our charitable campaign is that several of our members in their lifetime have either gone through, or are currently going through, stress or menta...

21Feb

By Hefina EverardNo Comments

Sports & Socs

‘This Girl Can’, and she will!

Take your mind back to 2015, before university was even a thought for you freshers, and think whether you can remember the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign. It was a national campaign set up by Sport England, that encouraged both girls and women to celebrate being active. At some point in their lives, I feel like every girl can relate in that they’ve felt the fear of judgement and lacked confidence in taking part in sport. Research has shown that there is a mix of practical and emotional pressures that stop many women from being as active as they would like, with over 40% aged 16 and over, not getting enough exercise to healthily benefit them. This is something the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign aimed to tackle. However, we’re now nearing the end of 2018 and the newest movement to launch is the ‘Fit G...

31Oct

By Hefina EverardNo Comments

Sports & Socs

It’s Time to Find Your ‘Thing’

The Freshers Festival blues have arrived (as well as the flu) and you’re setting your alarm for your 9am tomorrow morning. Doesn’t seem much fun, right? However, it would be better knowing that after your lecture, you have a Travel society social or a Lacrosse game. Becoming a member of a society or a sports team is one of THE best ways to make the most out of your journey here at Royal Holloway. Here’s why you should join a club or society: Happiness Levels: As much as university can be jam-packed with things to do, sometimes it is normal to feel lonely. Your mental health can be hugely impacted by this new wave of independence. Being part of a society or playing in a sports team is something that can contribute greatly to your happiness levels. By playing a sport or being in an environm...

Interview: Callum Pardoe takes the Reigns of Holloway Players

9Oct

By Olivia DuckworthNo Comments

Sports & Socs

Interview: Callum Pardoe takes the Reigns of Holloway Players

Today we sit down with Callum Pardoe, who this year has taken on the role as the Holloway Players Representative with Drama Society. We spoke to Callum, who is going into his second year at Royal Holloway, about all things Improv and what to him makes The Holloway Players the crazy, talented group of performers they are. What persuaded you to join the Holloway Players last year? I'd always wanted to get into improv and after seeing the Players perform at the Drama Society Taster sessions I was dead set on working with them. I thought to myself 'these are the most hilarious people I've ever seen in life! I have to get to know them!' What are your highlights from last year? Last year had its fair share of highlights for me but if I had to pick one it would have to be performing i...

9Oct

By Amal AbdiNo Comments

Sports & Socs

What is the Harry Potter Society?

How would you describe your society to anyone wanting to join? We are a friendly society, who promote a warm and supportive atmosphere. We just chill, hang out and are connected through our mutual appreciation for Potter. What are your highlights from last year? The main highlight from last year was several of our members appearing on Children in Need, due to our fundraising for Lumos. The studio tour trip was also incredible- we broke the SU page and tickets sold out in 12 minutes. What level of fan do you need to be to join Harry Potter society – do you think casual fans would enjoy the society just as much as hardcore Potterheads? 100%! One of our aims for this year is to make the society as inclusive as possible. All of our content is related to Harry Potter, but the...

6Feb

By Louisa WicksNo Comments

Sports & Socs

Spring Term Preview

Whilst 2017 was an exciting year for RHUL’s sports clubs and societies, 2018 could prove to be even more thrilling. As the spring term usually ends with elections and final events, the next three months will be the busiest time for many clubs. Also, the new year brings new opportunities, as students start trying out new sports. The ‘Give It a Go’ sessions took place at the start of term, ranging from swimming sessions to feminist society meetings. Also taking place in January was the 11th annual Alumni Sports Day, which involved ex-students coming back to compete against current students in a huge variety of sports. As well as the massive range of GIAG sessions at the start of term, many taster sessions will be taking place throughout February and March. For example, Chess are hosting t...

22Mar

By Louise JonesNo Comments

Features

Interview with Nishall Garala

Deputy Editor Louise Jones caught up with Nishall Garala Religious Affairs Officer for Royal Holloway’s Hindu Society to talk about all things Holi Festival, relationships with other interfaith societies on campus, and the importance of interfaith relationships right now. Nishall first and foremost well done to you and Hindu society for delivering such successful Holi festival celebrations for another year. Are you surprised how many student on campus enjoy and take part in what has become a campus favourite regardless of their own different faiths? Thank you, Holi is one of Hindu Society’s biggest events on campus, and it gets bigger and better every year. Hindu Society is such an inclusive society, it doesn’t matter what faith you believe in; we accept everyone for who they are. Ho...

A Triumphant Team Effort at the ‘Winter Concert’.

26Nov

By Georgia BeithNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

A Triumphant Team Effort at the ‘Winter Concert’.

This year’s Winter Concert was a lovely collaborative effort between two of Royal Holloway’s many choirs: the Gospel Choir and the resident A capella choir, Absolute Harmony. Set against the simply stunning backdrop of the Chapel in Founder’s Hall, the two choirs treated the audience to a selection of songs, both new and old, traditional and contemporary, to create a special evening of live music. Topped off with a traditional Christmas carol, performed by both choirs together, it was a great way to get into the festive spirit. Perhaps some questions could be raised over whether some of the song choices were quite appropriate, considering the particularly religious venue, but I’m sure no one would have changed the setting for the world. Besides from being visually beautiful, the high ec...

Shakespeare Society Presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

24Nov

By Georgia BeithNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Shakespeare Society Presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

For their first term production, Royal Holloway’s Shakespeare Society are tackling one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies: Much Ado About Nothing. It’s no small feat taking on such a well known play, but it’s a challenge they rise to wonderfully. It’s the age old tale of a love/hate relationship as we watch Beatrice (Olivia Dutson) and Benedick (Dan Scott) bicker their way through the marriage of Claudio (Will Maidment) and Hero (Samantha Van Den Esschert) and the troublesome scheming of Don John (Tom Knight), the bastard half brother of the honourable Don Pedro (Momin Ahmad). No production of Much Ado would be complete without the iconic overhearing scenes, which are staged hilariously, and this time there’s even the appearance of a small dance number – because, why not? The s...